Search - Chuck Jones - Extremes and In-Betweens, a Life in Animation on DVD

Cliff Notes on Chuck Jones' cartoons

Patrick J. Mccart | Georgia, USA | 01/10/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This documentary is basically a 90 minute condensation of the work of Chuck Jones. Comprised of neat interviews, clips for cartoons, and photographs, this is a surprise for many.The quality of the video is excellent... it's non-anamorphic 1.85:1, but it was made that way. Upconverting the image wouldn't result in more resolution. You see 100% of the resolution for the video parts. All cartoons are presented at 1.33:1, windowboxed within the 1.85:1 frame.The extras include a 15-minute "tutorial" which is a facinating look at the process of animation. It seems to be an outtake from the documentary. There are pencil tests for How The Grinch Stole Christmas and Mississippi Hare, as well. That's not all! Two complete Jones cartoons are provided: Feed The Kitty and Duck Dodgers in the 24 1/2 Century. Both are in perfect condition, with gorgeous Technicolor color.This is a must-own for any animation fan..."

Chuck Jones-Extremes and In-Betweens, A Life in Animation

Blake Petit | 07/17/2003

(3 out of 5 stars)

"I was somewhat disappointed to find only a snippet of "The Dot and the Line" and "One Froggy Evening" instead of the entire feature. I have been searching for these cartoons, without success for years and thought I'd finally hit the jackpot. But it was great getting an insight into the genius of Chuck Jones and hearing what other big stars thought of his work. It's a must see for anyone interested in the process of animation."

A must for film-majors and for all grown up children

F. Behrens | Keene, NH USA | 10/25/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This DVD is a must for all film majors and any one else interested in the art of animation! Not to mention Sociologists. In fact, any one who recalls with fondness those hours spent in movie houses or before a TV screen watching Jones' cartoons.Being of the age I am, I grew up watching Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck fighting the Axis all through World War II, and I was as influenced by their antics as much as a German child would be by the tales of Grimm. After all, how many real life heroes did we have? Joe DiMaggio and General MacArthur? (In fact, how many today? That is why we spend so much on Batman, Spiderman, and Indiana Jones films.) Now among the greatest of the animated cartoon series was that of Merry Melodies and Looney Tunes, and possibly the greatest animator of them all was Chuck Jones, the inventor of Bugs Bunny, Porky Pig, Daffy Duck, Pepe Le Pew, the Coyote and the Road Runner, and others that still make children (and grownup children) laugh with delight. Having missed the PBS special a few weeks ago, I was very happy to receive the DVD recording of "Chuck Jones: Extremes & In-Betweens, A Life in Animation." With an 85 minute running time, this disc gives us the highlights of and insights into the genius called Jones. Copious scenes from the cartoons are shown and analyzed, both from a technical point of view and as an extension of Jones' personality. From the talking heads of such notables as Robin Williams, Woopi Goldberg, Leonard Maltin, and Steven Spielberg, we get their impressions of what made these cartoons truly funny. But more important are the technicians and artists who actually worked at Warner Brothers back then, with whom we explore the major cartoon characters as well as such aspects of cartoon-making as animation, backgrounds, timing and dialogue, and background music. Among the "special features" is about a half hour of what seems to be out-takes from the feature film, providing a very informative handbook for would-be animators. There is also a bonus of two complete Jones classics, "Feed the Kitty" and "Duck Dodgers in the 24 1/2 Century." And, yes, you will enjoy this immensely regardless of your major."

An engaging portrait of a wry genius

David F. Nolan | Tucson, AZ United States | 12/01/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I fell in love with Chuck Jones' work way back in the 60's when I was a student at MIT, where the adventures of Wile E. Coyote were followed avidly by the engineering students each week. The warped, surrealistic humor of the Road Runner epics were the perfect antidote to the daily grind of math and physics, and we always rooted for the coyote, even while knowing that he'd never catch and devour the road runner. There's a wonderful subversive quality to much of Jones' work, as this delightful documentary makes perfectly clear. It offers a nice mix of technical tidbits, commentary by admirers from Steven Spielberg to Matt Groening, and wry observations by Jones himself. If you've ever wanted to meet the man who gave us Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, and Wile E. Coyote, this is your chance!"